Best Baby Gear for Tummy Time and Developmental Play

5 July 2025

Ah, tummy time—the baby workout session that makes your little one stronger and, let’s be honest, either thrilled or downright furious. But don’t worry, parents! With the right gear, you can turn tummy time from an all-out cry-fest into a fun and engaging play session.

Since pediatricians recommend tummy time to help build neck, shoulder, and core strength, it’s essential to make it as enjoyable as possible. And that's where the magic of the best baby gear comes into play!

From colorful mats to tummy-time pillows, activity gyms, and sensory toys, we’ve rounded up the best baby gear to help your little one grow into a strong, giggling, rolling machine.

So grab your coffee (or the cold one you forgot about), settle in, and let’s get into the ultimate tummy-time must-haves!

Why Is Tummy Time So Important?

Before we dive into the magical world of baby gear, let’s take a second to appreciate why tummy time is such a big deal.

👶 It helps strengthen neck, back, and shoulder muscles.
🧠 It supports motor skill development and coordination.
🚼 It prevents flat head syndrome (yes, that’s a real thing).
💨 It gives babies a chance to move and explore the world from a new perspective.

Think of tummy time as baby yoga—except with more drool and a significantly higher chance of mid-session meltdowns.

Now, let’s talk about the game-changing gear that will turn tummy time into playtime.

Best Baby Gear for Tummy Time and Developmental Play

1. Tummy Time Mats: The Baby Gym Floor

Tummy time mats are like yoga mats—but for tiny humans who have zero interest in downward dog. These colorful, cushioned mats give babies a soft space to practice their moves while keeping them entertained with colors, textures, and even mirrors!

✅ Soft, padded surface for comfort
✅ Bright colors and patterns to engage vision
✅ Often includes sensory toys and crinkle fabrics

Top Pick: Skip Hop Treetop Friends Activity Mat
This plush mat has all the bells and whistles—textures, a baby-safe mirror, and adorable hanging toys to keep your little explorer engaged.

2. Tummy Time Pillows: Tiny Baby Gym Equipment

If your baby treats tummy time like an unfair punishment, a tummy time pillow might be your new best friend. These small, crescent-shaped pillows provide gentle support under your baby's chest, making it easier (and more enjoyable) for them to lift their head.

✅ Supports baby’s upper body to reduce frustration
✅ Helps build neck and arm strength
✅ Often comes with attached toys for extra fun

Top Pick: Boppy Tummy Time Prop
It’s like a mini workout bench for your baby—minus the protein shakes.

3. Activity Gyms: The Ultimate Baby Playground

Picture a baby amusement park—except instead of roller coasters, there are dangling toys, flashing lights, and maybe even some soothing melodies. Activity gyms keep babies entertained while encouraging them to lift their heads, reach for toys, and engage with the world.

✅ Encourages reaching, grabbing, and hand-eye coordination
✅ Often includes tummy-time support pillows
✅ Keeps babies entertained for long stretches (a win for parents!)

Top Pick: Lovevery Play Gym
This one is like the Bentley of baby gyms—designed by child development experts and packed with sensory fun.

4. Sensory Toys: Keep Those Little Hands Busy

Tummy time is all about engagement, and sensory toys make it way more exciting! These toys stimulate your baby’s senses, making them want to push up, reach, and interact.

✅ Encourages touch, sound, and visual exploration
✅ Lightweight and easy for tiny hands to grab
✅ Often includes mirrors (babies are their own biggest fans)

Top Picks:

- Lamaze Freddie the Firefly – It crinkles, rattles, and has so many textures, your baby will be entertained for ages (or at least 10 minutes).
- Manhattan Toy Wimmer-Ferguson Mirror – Babies love looking at themselves—why not give them a mirror to admire their own cuteness?

5. Water Play Mats: Sensory Fun Without the Mess

Water play mats are basically mini baby waterbeds. They’re filled with water and colorful floating shapes, creating a mesmerizing experience as your baby pushes, pats, and explores.

✅ Strengthens neck and arm muscles with minimal effort
✅ No-mess water play (because real water play is a disaster waiting to happen)
✅ Helps develop hand-eye coordination

Top Pick: Splashin’kids Inflatable Tummy Time Water Mat
It’s like an ocean adventure—minus the sunscreen and sand in weird places.

6. Black and White High-Contrast Cards: Visual Development Boosters

Babies don’t see colors well at first, but they can spot high-contrast black-and-white images like a pro. These simple cards grab their attention and keep their eyes (and brains) busy.

✅ Supports early vision development
✅ Encourages focus and concentration
✅ Easy to prop up during tummy time

Top Pick: Wee Gallery Black and White Art Cards
It’s like Instagram for babies—simple, bold, and totally captivating.

7. Musical Tummy Time Toys: More Fun, Less Fuss

Babies love music, and musical tummy time toys give them a reason to push up and play. These toys play songs, make fun noises, and light up, turning tummy time into a mini dance party.

✅ Encourages auditory and visual engagement
✅ Promotes cause-and-effect learning
✅ Keeps babies entertained long enough for parents to drink (half) a coffee

Top Pick: Baby Einstein Glow & Discover Light Bar
Lights? Sounds? Fun buttons to press? This one’s a guaranteed tummy-time hit.

Tummy Time Tips: Because Babies Don’t Always Cooperate

Even with all this top-notch gear, some babies still act like you’ve just betrayed them with tummy time. Here are a few tips to make the experience more enjoyable:

🎵 Sing or talk to your baby – Your voice is their favorite sound. Use it!
🧸 Join in – Lay on the floor with them so they don’t feel abandoned in the tummy-time wilderness.
🛑 Keep sessions short (but frequent) – Start with 1-2 minutes and work your way up.
📸 Use a mirror – Babies love checking themselves out—who wouldn’t?
🐶 Let your pet watch – Sometimes a curious dog or cat is all the entertainment they need.

Final Thoughts: Make Tummy Time Fun, Not Frustrating

Tummy time doesn’t have to be a battle of wills between you and your tiny, dramatic human. With the right baby gear—everything from soft mats and fun activity gyms to sensory toys and supportive pillows—you can turn tummy time into a fun, engaging, and beneficial activity.

Now, if only there were a way to make diaper changes this exciting...